Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Finest QBs, prospects

Thursday concluded three days of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama, with more than 100 top prospects working out in front of coaches, scouts and personnel from all 32 NFL teams.

The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of upperclassmen prospects and an important step toward forming a plan for the 2026 NFL draft. Thursday’s practices will air again at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and the Senior Bowl game kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET in Mobile (NFL Network).

NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates were on hand. What were the biggest takeaways from the three sessions? Which quarterbacks made a move up the board, and who else stood out? We answered these questions off each practice and sized up how some of the top names in college football fared. (Reid also gave his assessment of Shrine Bowl practices late last week.)

Let’s take a look at Thursday’s action.

Jump to:
Day 3: Takeaway | QBs | Risers | Notes
Day 2: Takeaway | QBs | Risers | Notes
Day 1: Takeaway | QBs | Risers | Notes
Shrine Bowl observations

Thursday’s biggest takeaway

There were several standout performances this week — mostly coming from defensive players — but the overall winner of the 2026 Senior Bowl is Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker. He had middle Round 1 grades before the 2025 season began, but his stock took a dip after his sack total fell from 11 in 2024 to 5.5 last season. But he consistently won against every offensive tackle he faced this week while showing a repertoire of moves. Parker is a true 4-3 defensive end who can win with long arms and power at the point of attack, but this week he showed there’s more juice around the edge than formerly expected.

Linebackers Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh) and Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), safety Bud Clark (TCU) and defensive tackle Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) all had good weeks in Mobile that will elevate their stock, but Parker put himself into the first round. — Miller

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Thursday’s best quarterback performance

The poise and accuracy of Luke Altmyer (Illinois) were constant features during the final practice day. Hanging tough in the pocket, he made several good throws over the middle. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Altmyer has not only shown that he’s reliable attacking the middle of the field, but his touch on deep passes has remained consistent. During the red zone 11-on-11 period, he lofted a beautiful throw in the back of the end zone to tight end Dan Villari (Syracuse).

Altmyer has received mostly mid-to-late Day 3 grades but could be picked as high as the fourth round. Teams that incorporate West Coast offense concepts or a quick passing game are likely to value Altmyer as a long-term backup. — Reid

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Day 3 standout prospects

After an inconsistent first day, Banks showed plenty of juice on Day 2. He followed that up with an even better third practice on Thursday. Banks brought plenty of energy, most notably after a quick win against guard Jeremiah Wright (Auburn) during a one-on-one rep. Banks used a fast swipe to race past him, then let Wright know about it. Banks was a polarizing prospect entering the week because of injuries that limited him to two games last season. He answered a lot of questions evaluators had about him and is likely back in the top-40 discussion after a strong showing. — Reid

“THAT’S WHY THEY BROUGHT ME HERE!” – @Cbanks22_, probably#TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/GsbQu0yc4u

— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 29, 2026

Clark’s name showed up heavily in my notebook every day this week. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety consistently showed up in one-on-one coverage drills and was smooth shadowing both receivers and tight ends. Thursday was his best day of practice, as he jumped off the field with his smooth transitions in coverage, his technique in jumping routes and using his size to press receivers off their routes. That culminated in an impressive interception he made in team drills on the left sideline. Clark started the week with an early Day 3 grade on my board and is part of a deep safety class, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him rise into the third round due to his coverage chops and experience. — Miller

The big offensive tackle was really surprising this week in terms of his overall consistency. I had a top-125 grade on Crownover entering the Senior Bowl, which might be a little low based on how strong he looked in Mobile. The 6-foot-7, 331-pounder was physically dominant as expected, but I came away thinking his hand placement and strike accuracy were much better than what I had seen on film. That means it’s time to go back and revisit his tape. But he’s trending up from that initial grade. — Miller

With one-on-one red zone drills being the emphasis for the National team on Thursday, Dixon started off strong with multiple pass breakups. Showing his change-of-direction skills, he was able to remain sticky in coverage and his poise continued throughout each rep. His best play came in 11-on-11, when he made a quick break downhill for an interception. He was the best corner on the field. Dixon has received mostly early-mid Day 3 grades, and he has a chance to enter the Round 4 discussion. — Reid

Louis’ huge week continued Thursday with arguably his best week of practice. At 6-foot, 224 pounds, Louis showed exceptional coverage skills in stretching out for an interception during one-on-one drills against the running backs. He continued to make plays in 11-on-11, delivering a big hit that led to an incompletion. Louis’ coverage has shined, and his consistency as a run defender has been equally as good. He’s a true hybrid defender who scouts are split on as far as his best position on the next level. There are some that believe he could be safety, while others think he’ll be a weakside linebacker. Louis entered the week with strong late Day 2 to early Day 3 grades, which he built on. — Reid

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Quick-hitters from Day 3

Miller:

• We’ve been preaching for weeks that defense is the strength of the 2026 draft, and that was very apparent during National team practices Thursday. The offense struggled to get any movement during two-minute and red zone drills and didn’t get into the end zone during either period until a long run by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson got them inside the 5-yard line. Yes, that defense is loaded with Parker, Hunter, Louis, Rodriguez and Clark, but the lack of offensive firepower was obvious.

• Offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) has looked like an easy top-50 player with his power this week. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder was a riser for me entering the predraft process, in part because players receiving a Round 3 grade based on historical grading were likely Round 2 players in this shallow class. But the big right tackle’s power was a standout trait among the offensive linemen in Mobile. A top-40 selection is possible.

Reid:

• Cornerback Colton Hood (Tennessee) didn’t participate in practice for the National team because of a toe injury, per source. My highest-rated prospect at this year’s event, Hood showed during the first two days why he’s projected as one of the top corner prospects in the draft. His poise and patience in press coverage were constant, and he also made plenty of plays on the ball. Hood cemented himself as a Round 1 player this week.

• Linebacker is considered to be one of the deepest positions in this year’s draft and Thursday’s practices showed exactly why. While Louis’ name has repeatedly shown up in our recaps this week, Rodriguez and Bryce Boettcher (Oregon) are two others who have frequently flashed. All those prospects have helped boost themselves in what’s considered to be a cluster of linebackers in Round 2-4.

• Wide receiver Devin Voisin (South Alabama) had the catch of the day as he stretched out to grab a pass from Altmyer. Voisin also caused headaches for defensive backs on the American team during one-on-one drills in the red zone. His short-area quickness and strong hands flashed as they struggled to redirect with him on multiple routes.

Wednesday’s biggest takeaway

The defensive backs were expected to be one of the strongest position groups in Mobile, and that was the case on Wednesday. The National team secondary started the day impressively, with Bud Clark (TCU) grabbing an interception in one-on-ones and following up with multiple pass breakups. Clark, who had 15 interceptions in his college career, is regarded as an early Day 3 pick by scouts.

The American DBs also made their share of big plays. A great pass breakup by cornerback Malik Muhammad (Texas) while guarding Ja’Kobi Lane (USC) was one of the better plays of the day. Sticking with Lane all the way through his route, Muhammad fought through his hands in order to make the play. Skyler Thomas (Oregon State) also ignited the American team by stretching out for an interception along the sideline on Taylen Green (Arkansas).

These plays provided a snapshot of how well each secondary played on Day 2. While there aren’t many marquee DB names, there are plenty of starters to be found in Rounds 2-4. Many of them have shined in Mobile. — Reid

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Wednesday’s best quarterback performance

The expectation on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl is for quarterbacks to settle down and gain chemistry with wide receivers they’ve known for 48 hours. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) once again stood out from the competition on Wednesday after being highlighted by Jordan as the top quarterback on Tuesday. Payton doesn’t have the smoothest operation, with a looping, left-handed throwing motion, but he was the most consistently accurate quarterback of the six passers I saw.

The 6-foot-2, 229-pound Payton has solid arm talent, but what most impressed me was his ability to put the ball on his man despite not having fully developed the trust and feel with the wideouts he’s working with. Payton remains a late-round prospect on my board, but he’s trending up while standing out among a crowd of passers that were all ranked ahead of him when the week began. — Miller

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Day 2 standout prospects

Durant’s first-step explosiveness has continued to show during practices. Splitting time at multiple interior spots, his upfield burst has been challenging for blockers to match. Durant made multiple plays in the backfield on Wednesday, including a disruptive tackle for loss during the team period of practice. At 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, Durant is likely a situational late-down pass rusher early in his career but has the chance to develop into more. His burst and ability to penetrate the first level have been more consistent during practice than what he showed on film during the 2025 season. I have a third-round grade on him as a defensive line rotational player. — Reid

The best player I saw during the American team practice was Fields, who made the catch of the day by tracking a moon ball from Arkansas QB Taylen Green before hauling it in over his head like Willie Mays making a play in center field. Fields has elite size at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, but scouts had questioned his sub-9-inch hand size in Senior Bowl measurements. There were zero drop issues on Wednesday, as Fields was dominant at the catch point. He’s trending toward the back end of Round 1 in a class that has several good receiver prospects in that range. — Miller

I was hesitant to feature two linebackers today (the other is below), but Louis was all over the field and must be mentioned. The 6-foot, 224-pound ‘backer has been talked about as a potential hybrid player by some scouts, but he looks the part of a weakside linebacker in the pros. Louis’ speed in the open field is a difference-maker, and he closes on ball carriers in a hurry. My initial grade on him was early Round 4, but he’ll need to move up my board following the Senior Bowl after a positive few days. — Miller

Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

All-star games are a great way for small-school prospects to boost their stock. Montgomery has not only proved that he belongs, but he has been one of the best players in the first two days of practice. The Division III standout continued to make plays, including a highlight-reel catch in which he skied over San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson in the end zone. Montgomery was on the NFL radar as a late-round hopeful, but he has certainly improved his stock. In speaking to scouts on the sideline during practice, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has generated the most buzz among all wide receivers in Mobile. — Reid

Rodriguez was one of the most productive players in college football last season, posting 127 tackles, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and a sack while also scoring three touchdowns. The playmaking that led him to the fifth-place finish in Heisman polling showed up on Wednesday, as Rodriguez’s strength and power coming downhill as a tackler led to a forced fumble in team sessions. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder is an easy evaluation. The thumping linebacker is a Round 3 player with the ability to impact a pro defense as a starting Mike ‘backer. — Miller

Just @Jacob_R_10 doing @Jacob_R_10 things…#TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/hMZsY9Hcbj

— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 28, 2026

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Quick-hitters from Day 2

Miller:

• Kansas State center Sam Hecht had two solid days in a row and is catching my eye as a potential midround steal in this class. Hecht’s hand placement, power and agility have the look of a potential early starter in the NFL. He’s marked on my notes as a player to dive in deeper on following this week.

• LSU wide receiver Barion Brown lacks the size that NFL teams want (5-foot-11, 176 pounds) but he can absolutely fly in the open field. Brown had only one touchdown reception for the Tigers last season but he’s electric as a return man, with six career kicks returned for scores. With the Senior Bowl moving to a dynamic kickoff rule this year, Brown will have opportunities to shine on Saturday.

Reid:

• Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher caught my eye on multiple occasions during the team period of practice. He was able to stop multiple runs behind the line of scrimmage by aggressively attacking downhill. He came into Mobile known for his instincts and run-stopping ability, which have remained consistent through two practices. Boettcher is viewed as a midround pick, but he stood out in a deep linebacker group.

• Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun had a productive second day in which he recorded multiple pass breakups. His best portion of practice came during one-on-ones, and he remained disciplined in coverage on Wednesday. Igbinosun is known for his grabby nature, but he limited that tendency and showed his potential in man-to-man as well as zone. Considering his size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) and movement skills, it would be a surprise if he’s not selected inside of the top 75 picks.

• After an inconsistent first day, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks put it all together on Wednesday. With injuries limiting him to two games last season, Banks was circled as a prospect with plenty to gain in Mobile. He looked like the prospect many were excited about coming into the season, flashing his power in the run game and disruption as a pass rusher. Banks carries a mixture of second- and third-round grades from scouts that I have talked to here.

Tuesday’s biggest takeaway

The defensive line class stood out on Day 1. With many of the perceived top players at the position not participating in the Senior Bowl — only two players (Zion Young, Lee Hunter) in my overall my top 32 are here — there’s an opportunity for risers to increase their draft stock, as there are fewer elite prospects to distract scouts. That’s the case for this deep group of defensive linemen.

On Tuesday, Young, Hunter, Caleb Banks (Florida) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) all looked like top-40 players in a class with average talent. But the 2026 class is lacking overall, which could put those four closer to the overall top 25 given their standout play in the first practice session. Hunter was the best player I saw on the field throughout two practices (more on that later), but Parker and Young both won consistently with power and length while using speed to close on the ball in team sessions. And Banks, who is returning from a season-ending foot injury, was as impactful as expected. You’re going to hear a lot about this defensive line class in the next three months. Tuesday was a great introduction. — Miller

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Tuesday’s best quarterback performance

Tuesday’s top performance belonged to Cole Payton (North Dakota State). The lefty passer had two of the most impressive throws of the day, the best coming off a bootleg on a deep ball to Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech). Having played in under-center at North Dakota State, Payton looked comfortable taking snaps and making throws from multiple pre-snap platforms. Even though he has a bit of an elongated and loopy throwing motion, it didn’t have a negative effect on his timing.

Payton displayed his accuracy and mobility in multiple sessions. Payton suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand during the Bison’s loss in the FCS playoffs. He showed no signs of that injury. Payton carries grades as early as Round 4, as he’s a big athlete that some teams have mentioned as a project worth selecting on Day 3. — Reid

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Day 1 standout prospects

All eyes were on Hood, my top-ranked player at the Senior Bowl, and he stepped up Tuesday. He showed patience and confidence in one-on-one settings, turning and running with opposing receivers with ease while not being beaten once. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior was my No. 18-ranked player entering the week and solidified his status as the best player in Mobile throughout position drills and team settings. The Buccaneers, Jets and Lions all look like strong landing spots for him in the middle of Round 1. — Miller

I’m always looking for that “wow” first impression at all-star games and Hunter delivered it during team drills Tuesday. Lining up as a 1-technique, Hunter absolutely demolished an interior offensive lineman with his first-step power, rocking back the blocker’s shoulders and easily gaining ground. That backs up what we saw on tape during Texas Tech’s run to the CFP this season. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Hunter currently ranks No. 29 on my board and boosted his stock even more on Tuesday. — Miller

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Given that he played at a small school, this week provides a unique opportunity for Hurst. The lengthy wideout (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) made one of the better highlights of the day with a one-handed sideline grab. Hurst’s fluidity, especially given his size, has scouts intrigued. He’s a strong run-after-catch player, too. With a strong predraft showing, Hurst could move up into the third round from his current spot, which I view as early on Day 3. — Yates

Viewed as one of the nation’s top defenders entering the season, Parker didn’t have the season many envisioned, with his sack total falling from 11 in 2024 to five last season. Parker took a positive step toward reviving his draft prospects on the first day of practice Tuesday, as the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder displayed lots of power in his hands. That strength was present throughout multiple periods of practice. Scouts view Parker as a top-40 prospect who could sneak into the back end of Round 1. — Reid

After playing guard exclusively during his career at Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Rutledge took snaps at center throughout practice Tuesday. Rutledge showed comfort with snapping the ball and demonstrated that he can play any spot along the interior, answering one of the biggest questions scouts had about him entering the Senior Bowl. — Reid

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Quick-hitters from Day 1

Miller:

• Offensive linemen usually start Senior Bowl week slowly while defensive linemen explode onto the scene with speed and power. It’s best to allow offensive linemen to settle in, and that’s what happened with Beau Stephens (Iowa). The guard prospect had a rough rep against Hunter early before settling down and winning with leverage and power against Zane Durant (Penn State) and others in one-on-ones. Stephens is a Day 3 prospect but showed impressive poise Tuesday.

• Speaking of Durant, I must single him out for his Day 1 performance. The 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive tackle won consistently at 3-technique with quickness and leverage throughout the practice against a good group of interior linemen. Durant currently sits as an early Day 3 player on my board but looked more like a top-100 prospect in his initial practice.

Reid:

• Edge rusher Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan) caught my eye multiple times Tuesday. Opportunities like this are important for small-school prospects because they present major tests against high-level competition. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Tucker entered the week as one of the event’s lesser-known names but opened many eyes during the first day of practice. He could interest teams looking for a midround pass rusher.

• Wide receiver Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) was the best offensive player on the American team on Day 1. Officially measuring 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Fields used his frame well. He was challenged multiple times at the line of scrimmage during one-on-ones against the corners. His physicality showed up, and he was able to fight through jam attempts prior to making strong catches. Fields carries a mixture of mid-to-late Day 2 grades as a prospect who continues to trend upward.

• Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (Missouri) quietly had a strong first day. A well-traveled prospect, he started his career at Jackson State (2022) before transferring to Louisville (2023) and Mississippi State (2024) before landing at Missouri. Coleman is a smooth route runner who spent time on the outside and in the slot during practice. He also looked comfortable fielding punts on a chilly and windy day. In speaking to scouts, Coleman is primarily viewed as an early-to-mid Day 3 prospect, which is where I also have him currently.

Yates:

• Edge rusher Zion Young (Missouri) brought ferocious energy to the one-on-ones, as he showed the power that made him a great college player. Young wins with knock-back power and length as a rusher, which he used to land an offensive tackle on his back in a one-on-one rep. I think Young will go early in Round 2.

• Gennings Dunker is the next in a long line of talented Iowa offensive linemen, and I liked what I saw from him in pass protection Tuesday. Dunker showed good lateral agility and the length to ward off edge rushers, plus a toughness and finish on his reps (as well as an off-the-charts mullet). He’s another Day 2 prospect for me.

Shrine Bowl observations

I spent three days at the Shrine Bowl last week and the talent didn’t disappoint. Cornerback Avery Smith (Toledo) was the week’s biggest winner. He had no problem with the bump in competition, showing that he was capable of playing press man and in zone coverage. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith was the prospect scouts were buzzing about the most and might have played his way into the top 100.

Offensive lineman Brian Parker II (Duke) also stood out. After spending last season at left tackle, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Parker played center at Shrine Bowl practices, showing strong hands and a balanced base. He was viewed as a Day 3 prospect entering the event but boosted his stock and could go as early as Round 3.

On the quarterback front, Cade Klubnik (Clemson) recovered from a subpar Day 1 and had a strong final two days of practice. A streaky thrower, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Klubnik had multiple excellent throws during the team portions of practice. He showed plenty of emotion after each impressive throw and certainly helped his standing. Opinions remained mixed on where Klubnik will go. Some scouts had third-round grades on him, but there were others who saw him as a mid-Day 3 passer. — Reid